Seychelles has 115 islands. The three you’ve heard of (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue) are the granitic core. The other 112 are scattered across 1.4 million square kilometres of Indian Ocean. Mostly low coral islands, mostly uninhabited, mostly very, very expensive to reach.
The outer-island categories
- Private-island resorts. One resort, one island. North Island, Frégate, Denis, Bird, Cousine, Six Senses Zil Pasyon (Félicité), Alphonse, Desroches.
- Conservation islands. Bird-sanctuary islands. Cousin, Aride, Île au Récif, Cosmoledo.
- Coral atolls. The Amirantes group (Desroches, Poivre, D’Arros), the Aldabra group (Aldabra, Assumption, Astove, Cosmoledo).
North Island (private)
Eleven villas total, one private beach per villa, around USD 5,000–10,000 per night. The most exclusive property in the country. Sea turtles nest on the beach in front of your villa. Beyoncé honeymooned here.
Frégate Island Private
Sixteen villas, two private beaches per stay, around 2,000 Aldabra tortoises living free, the rare Seychelles magpie-robin nesting in the gardens. ~USD 3,500–5,000/night.
Denis Island
Family-friendlier private island option, 25 cottages, working farm, fishing boats, more accessible price point (~USD 800–1,500/night). Sea turtles nest October–February.
Bird Island
The simplest outer-island resort. 24 bungalows, the sooty tern breeding colony arriving in May (a million birds), the giant tortoise Esmeralda (the heaviest tortoise on earth at one point). ~USD 700–1,200/night.
Alphonse & Desroches (Amirantes)
The Amirantes group, about 250 km south-west of Mahé. Alphonse is the world’s most famous saltwater-flats fishing destination (bonefish, giant trevally) and Desroches is built around diving and cycling. Both have small ultra-luxury resorts.
Aldabra Atoll
The largest raised coral atoll in the world, UNESCO-listed, 100,000 giant tortoises, no resort. Accessible only via specialist conservation cruises (Silhouette Cruises, Variety Cruises) that visit once or twice a year. The ultimate Seychelles bucket-list visit.
How to get to the outer islands
| Island | How to reach |
|---|---|
| North Island, Frégate, Denis, Bird, Cousine | Helicopter or fixed-wing from Mahé (resort arranges) |
| Six Senses Zil Pasyon (Félicité) | Helicopter from Mahé or boat from Praslin |
| Cousin Island | Boat from Praslin (Anse Volbert), day-trip only |
| Aride Island | Boat from Praslin (Anse Volbert), day-trip only |
| Desroches, Alphonse | Fixed-wing direct from Mahé (~1 hour) |
| Aldabra Atoll | Specialist cruise only (1-2 sailings per year) |
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth visiting an outer island?
If your budget allows. The outer-island experience (private beach, no other people, undisturbed nature) is genuinely different from the inner islands. Most travellers add an outer-island stretch to a 7+ day trip.
Cheapest outer-island option?
Bird Island or Denis Island. Around USD 700–1,500 per night including transfers, full board, and most activities.
Can I day-trip to an outer island?
Cousin, Aride and Île Coco yes, on boat tours from Praslin. The private-island resorts do not accept day visitors.